FOREIGN AFFAIRS—CANADA—PRODUCTION AND TRADE OF ASBESTOS

The Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator Bob Brown), also on behalf of Senator Singh, pursuant to notice of motion not objected to as a formal motion, moved general business notice of motion no. 555—That the Senate—

(a) notes the current and potential damage that imported asbestos is creating to the health of people in the Asia Pacific region;

(b) recognises the Australian Government's efforts at the 2011 Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent to have chrysotile asbestos (white asbestos) listed in the convention;

(c) expresses its disappointment that Canada is stalling the listing of chrysotile asbestos in the convention;

(d) calls on the Canadian Government to recognise the profound global implications of Canada's continuing production and export of asbestos and asbestos-containing products; and

(e) supports the Australian Government to use strong diplomatic efforts to convince the Canadian Government to cease both production of and trade in asbestos.